Postal Worker Charged With Taking $20 From Greeting Card

PITTSBURGH - A U.S. Postal Service employee has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal law, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Pamela D. Vogt, 44, of Parker, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about Feb. 6, 2014, Vogt, while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee, removed a $20 bill from a greeting card contained in an envelope which was addressed and intended for delivery by the U.S. Postal Service.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Bond of $5,000 unsecured has been requested.

Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Office of Inspector General (USPIS) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.